It’s time for another well-deserved holiday, and the toss up is between a beach or forest holiday. The question is, should you spend that vacation in the shade of a mighty oak tree or a beach umbrella? Check out our compelling pros and cons and settle the debate once and for all.
A Seaside Sanctuary
Beaches are a popular favorite for plenty of good reasons. Families find them appealing since there’s plenty to do in the surf and sun for beach lovers of all ages. You don’t have to spend a dime to enjoy snorkeling or building sand castles with the kiddos. Conversely, you can go all out and hire a jet ski or take windsurfing lessons to make the stay unforgettable.
The beach is also a strong contender if you’re looking for a serene escape. So many aspects of the beach experience can be stress-free, from sipping your favorite beverage and utterly relaxing to the sounds of the spray to enjoying carefree sunsets or pre-storm walks. Even using travel apps or sharing pics with friends can be hassle-free if you set up an eSIM app beforehand and let it do its thing without needing to worry about connectivity.
A Washed-Up Waste of Time
You know who else loves beaches? Practically everyone! Unless you can find or pay for a secluded cove, prepare to rub elbows with other people and listen to their noisy children. Beachside accommodations make for more expensive holidays, and it’s easy to blow past your budget by spending money on overpriced food and activities.
We haven’t even talked about the hazards yet. Currents or winds can be strong and sudden, putting inexperienced swimmers at risk. Moreover, a sudden downpour can turn an exciting beach trip into a soggy disappointment. Even if everything else looks fine, sea urchins, jellyfish, and fires that careless beachgoers didn’t put out properly can instantly ruin your day.
A Green Getaway
Forests naturally appeal more to a hands-on, adventurous traveler. They’re the place to be if you get a kick out of pitching your own tent or foraging for mushrooms. There’s something interesting to do year-round, from photography and hiking to birding and animal watching.
An untamed forest also helps you connect to nature on a more elemental level than a manicured beach full of modern amenities. It offers a different kind of escape, a conscious stepping away from civilization that demands activity and self-reliance. The mental and physical health benefits that come with this are worth the trip alone.
A Buggy Bungle
Unless you visit during winter, prepare to share your forest existence with untold insects. Ants scurrying across your lunch and mosquitoes are minor nuisances. Ticks and hornets? Not so much. You also have to tread carefully, especially when it’s wet. A single slip-up can lead to a serious accident.
Forests tend to be farther from civilization than beaches. That makes staying connected a top priority, especially for tourists who may not know the terrain well. For example say you’re traveling to the foresty Black Sea coast, getting a good eSIM for Turkey (or whichever country you’re traveling to) might end up becoming the most valuable piece of your camping gear since it will guarantee you’re reachable even if the nearest Wi-Fi is miles away.
